Means for removing superfluous solder from sheet-metal cans.



PATENTBD APR, 14, 1903.

0. s. FELLOWS. MEANS FOR REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS SOLDER FROM SHEET METAL CANS.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.18, 1902.

5 SHBETS-SHEBT 1.

N0 MODEL.

Tm: NORRIS PETERS c0. PHoTuurNQ. WASHINGTON. a. c.

PATENTED APR. 14,1903.

0. SfFELLOWS. MEANSTOR REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS SQLDER FROM SHEET METAL CANS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 18, 1902;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

0.. WASHINGTON D c N0. 725,430. PATENTED APR, 14, 1903.

' O. S. FELLOWS. MEANS FOR REMOVING SUPERFLUOUSSULDER FROM SHEET METAL CANS.

' APPLIUATION FILED OUT. 18, 1902.

N0 MODEL 5 $HBETS-SHEBT 3- 1 V W W =5 I RU U Mfifizig MZZM No. 725,430. PATENTED APR. 14,; 1903.

' O. S. FELLOWS. I

MEANS FOR REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS SOLDER FROM SHEET METAL CANS.

APPLICATION yunnoow; 1a, 1902.

no MODEL.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Wxixw asms. Xwwmmw.

-M am m PETERS c0. rnmoumq, WA'QHIN-YYON, u. 1;.

No. 725,430. PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

, 0. s. FELLOWS. MEANS FOR REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS SOLDER FROM SHEET METALGANS.

. APPLICATION FILED OGT.18, 1902.

30 MODEL. I s SHEETS-SHEET a.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE;

OLIN sfFELLows, OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW on-K.

- MEANS FOR Rtmovme SUPERFLUOUS SOLDER FROM SHEET-METAL CANS.

EtPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 725,430, dated April 14, 1903.

i Application filed October 18,1902. Serial No. 127,758. (No model.) l

T aZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that LOLIN S. FELLOWS, a citizen of the United States, residing at -Middl'etown, Orange county, and StateofNew York,

have invented certain new and useful Im-' provements in Means for Removing Superfluous Solder from Sheet-Metal Oans,'of which the following is a specification sufficient to enused for the removal of superfluous solder from the edges of the can the latter has al-. ways been sustained against the action of the brush by rigid unyielding rails or supports.

An important feature of my present invention consists in substituting for this rigid unyielding support an elastic resilient support, which tends constantly to press the cans against the brush, and thereby compensate for any slight inequalities in sizeor shape that may exist between the cans'. It also adapts the apparatus to the treatment of.

elliptical and other shapes of cans approximating more or less the cylindrical form of can, since both the brush 'and the opposed can-supporting surface williconform Within means, as hereinafter set forth.

It also includes. certain other, special features of construction hereinafter described and claimed specifically. 1 Y

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa front elevation of myi'mpr'oved apparatus; Fig. 2, a horizontal section taken upon plane of line 2 2 Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a rear elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 4, an end elevation; Fig. 5, a vertical section; Figs. 6, 7, and 8,'detail views of the fluid-blast. j

latter. dered more accessible for cleaning and other A distinguishingfeatu're of my present-construction consists in arranging the powerpulleys and driving-belts on one side of a supporting wall or partition, with the can forwarding and retarding and the solder-removing mechanism upon the other side of said partition; the bearings for the several shafts being all formed or mounted on this central support. By this means the driving mechanism is isolated from thesolder-removing mechanism and from the .dirtand' dust unavoidably consequentuponthe use of. the

The driving mechanism is also renphrposes, as is also the solder-removing mechof bearings or'similar obstructions.

,anism", since the transverse-shafts thereof are supported entirely in this central parti-' tion, leaving the front of the apparatus free t In the drawings, A represents the base or table of the apparatus, andB a vertical upright or partition extending practically the whole length of the apparatus and continuous in structure, excepting for the openings formed or provided for the several bearings hereinafter described. a

The only transverse shaft that has additional support to that afforded by the wall or partitionB is the shaftO, to which'the power is directly applied by means of, the belt 0.

The rearendof this power-shaft'O is supported inan adjustable'bearing d, mounted --in the rear standard D, projecting upward from the bed or table A. This bearing is preferably suspended upon an adjustingscrewd and slides upon ways d d forming the sides of the vertical slot 01 as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3. The power- B, the said bearing 1) being suspended upon the adj usti'ng-screw b i On the front end of thefpower-shaft :O is mounted the pulley 0, over which-passesthe endless forwarding-belt E, which also passes around the pulley f on the front end of the counter-shaft F, which latter is mounted in the bearing f, suspended adjustably upon the screw f and traveling in the slot f "formed in the partition B. Belowthe forwarding-beltEis'situated the' retarding-belt G, traveling over and between the pulleys h and 7t, situated, respectively, upon the shafts H and H, running in the fixed bearings b and If, formed on the partition B. The pulleys c, f, h, and h are of the same diameter; but the two latter are driven at a slower rate of speed than the two first named by means of a belt 0 passing over a pulley [L2 of larger diameter on the shaft II'and a pulley f of smaller diameter on the countershaft F, thus causing the upper surface of the retarding-belt G to travel in the opposite direction to the under surface of the forwarding-belt E at a relative speed'that will retard the advance of the cans while under the action of the rotatable brush K.

Supporting-rails I and guide-rails J conduct the cans from the soldering-machine in between the opposed surfaces of the forwarding and retarding belts E and G, the guide rails J extending through and beyond the apparatus, but the supporting-rail I ending near the pulley h and being supplemented or continued by the rail 1, interposed between the pulley h and the discharging-wheel L and retarding-wheel M, beyond which the cans are supported upon the extension-rail 1 It will thus be seen that the cans while subjected to the action of the brush are supported upon the substantially parallel surface of the retarding-belt, which, being more or less elastic, sustains the cans against the action of the brush with a yielding pressure, which adapts itself to and compensates for any slight inequality of size or shape in the cans, while holding the latter in positive contact with the brush, a result not before attained, since the cans have heretofore been subjected to the action of the brush while resting against rigid rails parallel to the brush. The advantage of the present arrangement is that the cans receive more thorough treatment, since an approximately even pressure of the brush is maintained on the edges of all the cans and the removal of superfluous solder is uniform.

Taken in conjunction with the elastic resilient nature of the bristles composing the brush K, it will be seen that the yielding cansupporting surface G adapts the apparatus to the treatment of elliptical and other approximately cylindrical forms of cans, it being bornein mind that the forwarding-s11 rface E is also of a yielding resilient nature when In constructed as shown in the drawings. this connection it is obvious that the relative positions of the brush and the elastic retarding-surface are of special importance in attaining the best results, and for this reason I herein make the brush adjustable vertically above the substantially parallel and horizontal retardingsurface, although this feature of an elastic or yielding retarding-s11 rface opposed to the brush is not necessarily confined to the arrangement herein shown, since it is obvious that the parts maybe arranged to so treat the cans while in an uprightposition or screws k in any position or angle of inclination inter mediate between the horizontal and perpendicular with like result, the essential feature of my invention in this regard being, the opposing of a yielding resilient retarding-surbe secured to slides k 70 resting between ways I) I). U 5 constituting the sides of the slots 19 b, formed in the partition B, said slides 70 70 being suspended upon adjusting- By this or similar meansthe brush may be adjusted with accuracy with relation to the yielding retarding-surface g to attain the degree of tension or pressure desired.

When the yielding can supporting and retarding surface G consists of a belt, as in the accompanying drawings, suitable provision also is made for adjusting the tension thereof with relation to the forwarding-surface E. I thus have two adjustments affecting the clastic pressure to beexerted upon the canst'. 8., the adjustment of the resilient can-supporting surface G with relation to the can-forwarding surface E and the adjustment of the brush with relation to the resilient can-supporting surface G. Obviously the latter adjustment may be effected by various mechanical expedients, and I do not confine myself to any particular means in this respect, the device shown in the drawings consisting of a tightening-roller G, bearing against the inner and under side of the belt G, the journal 9 of said tightening-roller resting in a bearing-box g, which is adjustable in the yoke g by means of the screw g bearing upon the upper side of the boX g and acting against the resistance of the spring g pressing against the under side,

ofsaid box. By thus providing for the adjustment of the tension-yielding can supporting and retarding surface with relation to the can-forwarding surface to regulate the pres sure exerted against the cans by said opposed surfaces and for the subsequent adjustment of the brush with relation to the can supporting and retarding surface for the purpose of regulating the pressure of the bristles of the brush upon the cans it is obvious that the best and most accurate results may be attained.

Since it is desirable to rotate the brush at a relatively high degree of speed, power is applied directly to a small pinion 70 on the shaft 70 by a belt 7: or by other well-known means.

The ways Jand I conduct the cans from the brush K and retarding-surface g to the rotary discharging-wheel L and retarding-wheel M, the lower of which, M, is secured to the shaft m, mounted in the stationary bearing b on onsly.

the partition B, and the upperone of which is secured to the shaft Z, mounted in the movable bearing Z, secured to the slide Z resting in the slot 19, formed in the partition B and suspended upon the adjusting-screw l so that the discharging-wheel L may be adjusted vertically with relation to the retarding-Wheel M.

Pulleys Z and m are respectively mounted upon the shafts Z and m on the rear side of the partition 13 and are connected by a belt N, which also passes over the pulley h -on the adjoining the discharging-wheel L and retarding-wheel M, is made concentric to the center of said upper or discharging wheel L for adistance sufficient to insure the contact of a can with said discharging-wheel L before the periphery of the retardingewheel M is reached by the can. This is to insure the positive displacement of the cans by each other successively from between the discharging-wheel L and retarder M, and thereby prevent the collecting or clogging of the cans Within the apparatus. Thuseven should-the cans congregate on .the rail 1 so closely as to even bein actual contact with each other they cannot be held back by the can between the wheels L M, since the next succeeding can will be grasped by the discharging-wheel L as soon as said can reaches the concentric portion 2" of the rail 1 and,will

'be thereby positively forwarded over said concentric portion 2", driving the preceding can off the retarding-wheel M, to be in turn displaced in like manner,and so on continue of special importance inconnection with the support and treatment of the cans on their cylindrical sides with their longitudinal axes substantiallyhorizontal, as herein shown, for the reason that the forwarding-belt Esends the cans forward along the supporting-rail I with an increased impetus as soon the cans clear the retarding-.beltG, and if they follow each other very closely they areapt to come in contact, collect, and finally clog the machinea difficulty which I have obviated by making the end of the mill. witha portion 2" concentric to the discharging-wheel L, as above set forth. I am aware-that in my Patent No. 595,705, dated December 21, 1897, I show a concentric rail opposed to a forwarding-wheel; but in that case the cans are treated on end vertically instead of horizontally, whereas in the present case I have expressly devised the concentric portion dforuse in conjunction with the straight portion of the horizontal rail 1 and with the horizontal forwarding and retarding belts E- and Gforthe This feature of the-concentric rail is purpose of counteracting the tendency of the cans to collect and clogonthe rail I by reason of the accelerated speed given the cans by the forwarding-belt E after they clearthe retarding-belt G, as before stated. The concentric portion 71 of the rail must be suflicient in-degree to represent anarc ofha circle that will insure contact of the periphery of the discharging-wheel with at least two cans simultaneously, as shown in Fig. 1;.otherwise a can rotating between thedischarging and retarding wheels LVM wouldfhold succeeding cans back until such time as-the discharging,- Wheel L dismissed the can under immediate treatment,- whereas the design is to cut this supplemental treatment short by automatic means should theaccumulation or rapid succession of cans from the brushing mechanism render this expedient or necessary, the shortening of the supplementary treatment being less objectionable than theclogging,and obstruction of the apparatus. i

The supplemental treatment ofthe cans after brushing and preparatory to their discharge from theapparatus may be resorted to for various purposes, as for. cooling thecan by means of a jet of cold air or other fluid or for brushing. or polishing the edge or end plate by suitable means, and hence I .do notconfine myself tothe use of the fluid-jet herein described, the essential feature of my invention in this respect beingthe combination, withthe cylindrical brush and parallel means for preserving and forwarding the cans in a practically straight line, ofan auxiliary retarding-wheel andta discharging-wheel arranged to rotate a canltemporarily between them while itis subjected to supplemental treatment, together with a can-supporting rail interposed between thebrushing mechanism and the said retarding and discharging wheels whensaid interposed can-supporting rail is formed with aportion concentric to the said dischargingjwheel of an extent sufficient to insure the possible contact simultaneously of at least two cans with the periphery. of the discharging-wheelfor the, purpose of effecting the. displacement of a preceding can by a succeeding can by actual, contact therewith should the cans follow each other at veryshort intervals or collect-upon said can-supporting rail, as hereinbefore indicated.

Inthe arrangement shownin the accompa nying drawings each can is held in turn. by

the adjoining cylindrical portion of the canbody. In practice the action of. the brush tends to throw up or leave a slight bur or ridge of solder on or just beyonditheapex or angle i IIO and betweenthe retarder-wheelM and the between theend plate and itsflange. I have discovered that by making thendisohargeopening q in the steam or fluid nozzle Q, either elongated or pear-shaped, substantially as indicated in Figs. 6, 7, and S, and by thus opposing a narrow portion q of the opening q to the extreme edge of the can I am enabled to attain a knife-like jet of steam or fluid that is much more effective in removing the bur or ridge of solder from the apex than any form of nozzle heretofore devised or used. In fact, as heretofore formed the jets of fluid under pressure directed against the inner side of the end plates have had a tendency to augment the bur or ridge deposited upon the apex by the action of the brush, a tendency which is fully overcome by my special construction of nozzle, which at the same time is effective in removing the accretion caused by the action of the brush.

A receptacle or fine R is arranged to receive the blast and solder deflected from the bottom 8 of the can S. This compartment B may be connected with air-exhaust mechanism T by means of a flue f, so that the air surrounding the retarding-wheel M, the dis charging-Wheel L, and the fluid-blast nozzle Q, is drawn into the receptacle R, carrying with it the condensed steam or vapor, to-

gether with the detached solder, which by reason of its weight settles into the bottom of the compartment.

The exhaust mechanism T may be omitted, if desired, the blast being relied upon to draw into the top of the fine the air around the mouth thereof, in which case an aperture, as the flue t, may be left open near the lower end of the receptacle R or any tendency to back pressure otherwise obviated. NVhere steam under pressure is used for the blast, the condensation of the same within the receptacle will create a partial vacuum therein that will tend to draw in the air, &c., as above stated. For a like reason I design in some cases to inclose the brush in a casing T, abutting at the rear against the Wall or partition B, said casing being provided with a door or cover t to afiord access to the brush and adjoining parts when necessary.

Air, dust, &c., are withdrawn from the interior of the casing T by means of the exhaustflue U and fan V or equivalent mechanism.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a solder-saving machine the combination of mechanism for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, driving mechanism for operating said solder removing mechanism and a suitable base formed with an upright wall or partition interposed between said solder-removing mechanism and said driving mechanism, and provided with bearings for the support centrally, of the several transverse shafts of the apparatus,whereby the driving mechanism is isolated from the solder removing mechanism while the ends of the said transverse shafts are rendered free and accessible,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a solder-saving machine the combination of brush mechanism for removing superfiuous solder from the ends of the cans, driving mechanism for operating said can-brushing mechanism, and a suitable base formed with an upright wall or partition interposed between said can-brushing mechanism and said driving mechanism and provided with bearings for the support, centrally, of the several transverse shafts of the apparatus,whereby the driving mechanism is isolated from the solder-removing mechanism While the ends of said transverse shafts are rendered free and accessible, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a solder-saving machine, the combination of a horizontal brush for removing snperfluous solder from the ends of cans, mechanism for conveying and presenting the cans to said horizontal brush and conveying them therefrom, a horizontal can-support opposed to said brush for sustaining the cans against the action of the brush, a casing inclosing the said horizontal brush and said opposed cansupporting surface and mechanism for adj usting said brush vertically with relation to said opposed horizontal can-support,substantially as described.

4. In a solder-saving machine, the combina tion of a brush for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, a yielding resilient can-sustaining surface adapted to engage the cylindrical bodies of the cans and support the cans with an elastic pressure against the action of the brush in the absence of a rigid support for the cylindrical bodies of the cans opposed to the brush whereby variations in the size or shape of the cans are compensated for, and mechanism for conveying the cans to and from said brush and said opposed resilient can-sustaining surface, substantially as set forth.

5. Inasolder-savingmachine,the combination of a brush for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, ayielding resilient can-sustaining surface adapted to engage the cylindrical bodies of the cans and to support the cans with an elastic pressure against the action of the brush in the absence of a rigid support for the cylindrical bodies of the cans opposed to the brush, whereby variations in the sizeor shape of the cans are compensated for, mechanism for conveying the cans to and from said brush and said opposed resilient can-sustaining surface, and means for adjusting the said brush with relation to the said opposed resilient can-sustaining surface, substantially as set forth.

6. In a solder-saving machine, the combination of a brush for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, mechanism for conveying and presenting cans to said brush and conveying them away therefrom, a yielding, resilient can-support opposed to said brush for sustaining the cans against the action of the brush with an elastic pressure, and means for adjusting the tension of said elastic cansupport for the purpose and substantiallyin the manner described.

7. In asolder-saving machine, the combination of a brush for removingsuperfluous solder from the ends of cans, a can-forwarding surface for conveying the cans past the brush, an elastic resilient can supporting and retarding surface opposed to the action of said brush and said can-forwarding surface,means for adjusting the tension of the said can-supporting surface with relation to the can-forwarding surface, and means for adjusting said brush with relation to the said resilient can supporting and retarding surface as and for the purpose set forth.

8. Inasolder-savingmachine,thecombination of a brush for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, an elastic, resilient can-forwardingsurface for conveying the cans past the brush, an elastic resilient can supporting and retarding surface opposed to the action of the said brush and the said elastic resilient can-forwarding surface and means for adjusting the tension of the said elastic resilient can supporting and retarding surface with relation to said elastic resilient can-forwarding surface and said brush, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a solder-saving machine, the combination of a rotatable cylindrical brush for removing superliuous solder from the ends of cans, a yielding resilient can-sustaining surface adapted to engage the cylindrical bodies of the cans and support the cans with an elastic pressure against the action of the brush in the absence of a rigid support for the cylindrical bodies of the cans opposed to the brush, whereby variations in the size or shape of the cans are compensated for, and mechanism for conveying the cans to and from said brush and said opposed resilient cansustaining surface, substantinlly asset forth.

10. In a solder-saving machine, the com bination of a cylindrical brush for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, a canforwarding surface consisting of an endless belt arranged to convey the cans past' said cylindrical brush, and ayielding resilient cansustaining surface adapted to engage the cylindrical bodies of the cans and support the cans with an elastic pressure against the action of the brush in the absence of a rigid support for the cylindrical bodies of the cans opposed to the brush, whereby variations in the size or shape of the cans are compensated for, said resilient can-sustaining surface consisting of an endless belt opposed to the said can-forwarding belt and traveling in the opposite direction, so as to retard the progress of the cans subjected to the action of said cylindrical brush, together with guiderails for conveying the cans to and from the said brush and the resilient can supporting and retarding belt opposed thereto, substan tially as set forth.

11. In a solder-saving machine, the combination of a cylindrical brush for removing superfluous solder fromthe ends of cans, an elastic resilient can-forwarding surface consisting of an endless belt arranged to convey the cans past the said cylindrical brush, an elastic resilient can supporting and retarding surface consisting of an endless belt opposed, and rotating in the opposite direction to said can-forwarding belt and arranged to press the cans against the said cylindrical brush, and means for regulating the tension of said elastic resilient can supporting and retarding belt, substantially as set forth.

v 12. In a solder-saving machine, the combinationof a cylindrical brush for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, a canforwarding surface consisting of an endless belt arranged to convey the cans past said cylindrical brush, and a yielding resilient can sustaining surface adapted to engage the cylindrical bodies of the cans and to support the cans with an elastic pressure against the action of the brush in the absence of a rigid support for the cylindrical bodies of the cans opposed to the brush, whereby variations in the size or shape of the cans are compensated for, said resilient can-sustaining surface consisting of an endlessbelt 0pposed to the said can-forwarding belt and traveling in the opposite direction, so as to retard the progress of the cans subjected to the action of said cylindrical brush, together with means for adjusting the said cylindrical brush with relation to the opposed resilient surface of said endless can-sustaining belt, substantially as set forth. 7

13. In a solder-saving machine, the combination of a cylindrical brush for removing superfluous solder from the ends of cans, an elastic resilient can-forwarding surface consisting of an endless belt arranged to convey the cans past the cylindrical brush, an elastic resilient can supporting and retarding surface consisting of an endless belt opposed, and rotating in the opposite direction to said can-forwardin g belt and arranged to press the cans against the said cylindrical brush, means for regulating the tension of the said elastic resilient can supporting and retarding belt and means for adjusting said cylindrical brush with relation to said opposed elastic resilient can supporting and retarding belt, substantially as set forth.

14. In a solder-saving machine, the combination of mechanism for brushing superfluous solder from the cylindrical edges ofcans,said brushing mechanism consisting essentially of a cylindricalbrush and parallel forwarding and retarding belts arranged to treat the cans while resting in a substantially straight line on their cylindrical sides with their axes extending horizontally, or nearly so, a retarding-wheel and a discharging-wheel arranged to rotate a can temporarily between them while it is subjected to supplemental treat ment after brushing, and a can-supporting rail interposed between said brushing mechanism and said retarding and discharging wheels, said interposed supporting-rail being formed with a portion concentric to the said discharging-wheel,whereby two cans may engage the periphery of said discharge-wheel simultaneously for the purpose of effecting the displacement and discharge of a preceding can by a succeeding can, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a solder-saving machine the combination of mechanism for brushing superfluous solder from the cylindrical edges of cans,consisting essentially of a brush, forwardingbelt, and retarding-belt arranged to treat the cans while resting on their cylindrical sides with their axes arranged horizontally, or substantially so, mechanism for subjecting each can successively, after being so brushed to the action of a jet of steam or other fluid, consisting of a retarding and a discharging wheel and a nozzle arranged to blow such fluid-jet against the end plate of a can rotated between said retarding and discharging wheels, and a stationary can-supporting rail interposed between said brushing mechanism and said fluid-blast mechanism, said intermediate rail being formed with a portion concentric to the said discharging-wheel, whereby succeeding cans may be made to positively displace the preceding can, substantially as set forth.

16. In a solder-saving machine the combination of can-retarding mechanism and a nozzle for directing steam or other fluid against the edge of an end plate of a can rotated by said retarding mechanism, said nozzle being formed with an elongated opening extending transversely across the annular path in which the extreme edge of the can travels while rotated by the said retarding mechanism substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In a solder-saving machine the combination of can-retarding mechanism and a nozzle for directing steam or other fluid against the edge of an end plate of a can rotated by said retarding mechanism, said nozzle being formed with an elongated opening which is contracted at a point opposite the position which the extreme edge of the can passes while rotated by the said retarding mechanism, for the purpose set forth.

18. In a solder-saving machine the combination of mechanism for brushing superfluous solder from the cylindrical edges of cans, supplementary can-retarding mechanism for rotating the cans after they have been brushed, and a nozzle for directing steam or other fluid against the edge of an end plate of a can rotated by said retarding mechanism, said nozzle being formed with an elongated opening extending transversely across the annular path in which the extreme edge of the can travels 'while rotated by the said retarding mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

19. In a solder-saving machine the combination of mechanism for brushing superfluous solder from the cylindrical edges of a can.

supplementary can-retarding mechanism and a nozzle for directing steam or other fluid against the edges of an end plate of a can held by said retarding mechanism, said nozzle being formed with an elongated opening which is contracted at a point opposite the position which the extreme edge of the can passes while rotated by the said retarding mechanism, for the purpose set forth.

20. In a solder-saving machine the combination of can-retarding mechanism arranged to rotate a can in a substantially horizontal position axially, a nozzle arranged to direct a blast of steam or other fluid downward against the inner edge of an end plate of a can rotated by said retarding mechanism, and a flue arranged with its mouth under and in proximity to said fluid-blast, whereby the solder detached by the fluid-blast is precipitated into the said flue, substantially as set forth.

21. In a solder-saving machine the combination of can retarding mechanism arranged to rotate a can in a substantially horizontal position axially, a nozzle arranged to direct a blast of steam or other fluid downward against the inner edge of an end plate of a can rotated by said retarding mechanism, a flue arranged with its mouth under and in proximity to said fluid-blast, and mechanism for exhausting the air from said flue and thereby drawing into the fine the solder detached by the fluid-blast, substantially as set forth.

OLIN S. FELLOWS.

\Vitnesses:

D. W. GARDNER, FRANK E. ROACI-I. 

